25 oddball interview questions

Ever been shocked by a question while interviewing for a job? You might first think “I’m not sure what this has to do with anything.” But they’re designed to get you thinking and to see how you problem solve or handle the situation, and test your creativity. So to help prepare you for anything, California-based Glassdoor put together a list of the weirdest interview questions shared by job candidates over the last year. Here they are, with a list of possible answers, many pulled from the blog’s own contributors.

If you’re wondering how others handle these questions, check out this video.
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A. There is no state with the name “ONE.”B. It’s Florida. You can’t find “rid” embedded in “Florida.”C. None, I love my country.D. New York—as long as that means the Yankees are eliminated too.E. Vermont. The whole state should just be made into a giant national park.
F. Texas. They want secession anyway.

A. Less than in the US.B. 13.2 million.C. To which cows do you refer? Are you strictly speaking about bovine cows, or do you also want to include Elk, Moose, etc.?D. Just as many as there need to be.E. Mooooooore than enough.
F. Find out how much milk is produced in the country and then divide by the number of gallons of milk a typical cow can produce in that time.

A. Since it is about $25 to ride to the Main Observation deck, you would need 100 quarters.B. None. I can use the stairs.C. Since the building is 1,454 feet tall and a quarter is about .0689 inches (1.75 millimeters) thick. So, that would be 190,500 quarters if you stacked them.D. None, if you live more than 1,500 feet above sea level.E. None, if you pay with a credit card.F. One Empire State Building-sized quarter.

A. He wouldn’t say anything. He is a penguin. Probably there because he’s a party favor that got loose and waddled in. B. “Am I South of the Border yet?” The penguin was obviously traveling back home to the South Pole and, thinking he already reached Mexico, wore the sombrero to blend in.C. Necesito un poco de hielo por favor (Translation: I need a little ice, please).D. Salsa really doesn’t go well with herring.E. An African or European penguin? F. “Trick or Treat.”

A. “Eye of the Tiger,” by Survivor.B. “Working for the weekend,” by Loverboy. C. Beyonce’s National Anthem, because I come prepared for everything.
D. “Taking Care Of Business” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive.E. “Eight Days a Week” by the Beatles.F. “Too Legit to Quit” by MC Hammer

Shown: Beyonce sang the National Anthem during inauguration ceremonies for President Obama on Jan. 21, 2013. Beyonce's lips remained sealed over her headline-making rendition, leaving others to do the talking over whether she lip-synched to a pre-recorded track.
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A. I will share as long as all parties are willing to sign a nondisclosure agreement.B. You’re going to offer me $1 million before you even know what my idea is?C. Sell products online.D. I don’t have any entrepreneurial ideas.

A. What was the question?B. On a scale of 1-10, and do you mean now, or 10 years ago?C. 4.1 standard deviation above mean population.D. Well, I can assure you I’ll never forget being asked this question!E. 5 stars out of 5.F. My memory has always been very highly rated — near as I can recall.

Shown: Einstein portrait in the same year that he was awarded the Nobel Prize for physics, 1921.
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LARRY W. SMITH/EPA

10. “Can you say: ‘Peter Pepper Picked a Pickled Pepper’ and cross-sell a washing machine at the same time?”

A. Yes.B. No, I am not a washing machine salesman.C. It is actually “Peter Piper picked a PECK OF pickled peppers.”D. If you have a washing machine called a “Pickled Pepper” then I’m sure I could convince a customer to buy one based on Peter Piper’s recent purchase.E. Doing that doesn’t really seem very appropriate.F. This washing machine is so fast that by the time you say “Peter Pepper Picked a Pickled Pepper’ your clothes will be clean!

A. Dinner.B. That depends, are you vegetarian, vegan?C. Great question! as soon as you hire me I’ll invite you over so you can find out.D. Macaroni and cheese — unless of course I get the job, in which case I will have real groceries again!E. Your favorite food.

A. I would ask your wife, unless she is directly asking for recommendations.B. Do a stay home vacation. It stimulates local economy and you can learn some very interesting history and meet interesting locals that you probably wouldn’t have otherwise.C. (Ask a series of questions about their interests, a budget level, etc. and then make a recommendation)D. Some place far away, exotic but with civilized top level accommodations.E. Far away on a long vacation because you will have me to do the work.

15. “You are a head chef at a restaurant and your team has been selected to be on Iron Chef. How do you prepare your team for the competition and how do you leverage the competition for your restaurant?”

A. Just like Doc Rivers (shown) coached the Celtics in 2008.B. If I already had a team, they’d be the best and there would be no significant preparation other than relaxing the night before, building their confidence by acknowledging their strengths and imagination.C. SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis.D. Practice and intimidation.

A. I’ll estimate there are 10 million in NYC and 10 windows per person so my answer is 100 million windows in the city.B. If you hire me, I’ll get my team on that right away.C. Define “New York.”D. Infinite, if you include opportunities and operating systems.

A. “Welcome To The Working Week,” by Elvis Costello ( or any other song, then start singing and dancing)B. The sound of silence (sit there silent for the next 4½ minutes)C. My favorite song is “Moonlight Sonata,” and I would be happy to perform it for you now. Where’s the piano?D. I don’t perform for free and all performances must be scheduled five years in advance.

A. Yes, but not on purpose.B. No, the pen was given to me to perform my daily functions in or out of the office.C. Your honor, I don’t have a specific recollection.D. Yes, but I usually bring it back the next day when I realize I took it.E. I brought my own, actually.

A. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West (shown)B. Melinda Gates and George LopezC. I would never substitute my parents for anyone because they are who shaped me into the person that I am today.D. BradgelinaE. Meryl Streep and Hugh Jackman. Fun, intelligent, thoughtful parenting.

A. The Hutzler 571 Banana SlicerB. A knife, because I like to get to the meat of the problem.C. Chopsticks, they are the most versatile.D. The Nylon Spatula: It’s the most versatile utensil in your kitchen.E. A metal spork.

A. Sorry.B. Who’s phone was that?C. With technology today you would think my phone would know that I am in an interview.D. I would say it’s a miracle, because I always power my phone completely off.E. Well if you make the mistake of not hiring me today my next stop is going to be at Google, because they CLEARLY need my services. When I finish a project, it works.

A. Who needs scales? You’re doing a great job. Keep it up.B. I have to interview more interviewers and make a decision. C. The more highly you recommend me for the position, the higher I will rate you as an interviewer. D. Personally 1 to 10 scales are passe, lets go with alphabetized system, as in I’d give you an F — for FANTASTIC!

A. (direct them to Google.com, advising to search for “Best omelet recipe”)B. I make terrible omelets, I’m like the patient of bad omelets, don’t make me spread bad omelets to anyone else.C. Verbally.D. (explain in great detail how to cook a basic omelet)E. I would confirm their capabilities, confirm what type of omelet they wanted, and confirm the risks. Then design the solution based on their needs, the desired result, and the risks involved.